Are the Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach and surrounding areas of real estate market still shifting? Is it up to everyone in the Real Estate Industry to keep the market moving? These are the opening questions and statements by Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman in her recent post about the Hawaii real estate market. As usual, Sally used her unique charm and motivating words to direct us to be the best at what we do. I personally needed the kick in the pants. We all know that the media will only report a negative spin on any subject. Be we're all responsible for our own attitudes. And the old saying, "Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude" will always be true. (Read my previous post titled "Boosting Your Attitude".)

To add to this, the bible says, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks". If you know someone who is just negative and cranky all the time, you automatically know what's in their heart. Being around these types of people will not help you to get your real estate business back on track. There's another scripture that states that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. (These passages have all been paraphrased, straight from my memory. My apologies. I tend to remember the scriptures but not the passages.)

It was not my intent for this to be a sermon, but if that's what it takes to stick with the "attitude" boost, then so be it. We need this real estate market to change! So, to continue with the TRUTH, here's a direct biblical quote for anyone who is still feeling sorry for themselves, or feeling hopeless about the real estate market, or maybe feeling overwhelmed about their financial circumstances. From www.BibleGateway.com, (NIV), James 1:2-7

• 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Yeah, I know. It sounds harsh. But life really is pretty harsh, isn't it? So how is it that some people are able to rise above their circumstances, while others fall apart at the first sign of trouble? Well, it's really all about attitude and our outlook. Here's verse 12 of the same passage: "12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." This is pretty awesome if you think about it. It means there's an end in sight, and that not only is there a reason for the hard times, but that if we persevere through those hard times, and learn the intended lesson, we'll reap a reward for our willingness to withstand the test. (Insert profit from real estate here.)

One more bible story and lesson. This one packs a punch! (Again from biblegateway.com) Matthew 14:29-31

• 29"Come," he (Jesus) said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

If you didn't get it, allow me to elaborate. When we keep our focus on Christ, or on the prize/success/sale/end result... we're moving toward that goal, in spite of the circumstances. But when we start looking at all the negative circumstances, listening to negative people, reading or watching negative media, WE SINK!

Yes, it really is that simple. So stay away from toxic people, negative media, or even your own bad experiences. Don't lose focus and don't lose hope. Wherever you're focused is where you're heading.

Every day and even every moment we have choices. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know I have some extra obstacles to overcome. And although I usually do a pretty good job of staying focused and upbeat, sometimes I let my circumstances get me down. But I always have a choice. Am I going to choose to lose? Or am I going to choose to win? It's up to me. And it's all in where I'm focused. The scriptures I references are what I need to keep going and not lose focus.

If you'll allow me to shift gears, I'd like to refer back to Sally's post. Here's a direct quote from Sally. "I also believe that it is up to everyone in the Real Estate Industry to keep the market moving forward. With our professional attitudes shining through in all communication and contact with our clients and peers and being thorough in our process through each and every transaction are just a few points to always be aware of."

It's my understanding of Sally's message that we need to take things a step further. I just focused this post on how to keep our attitudes right and how to focus on the positive things in our lives, in spite of the circumstances. But Sally takes it a step further. Sally is indicating that WE, the professionals in the real estate industry... the REALTORS®, mortgage brokers, title companies, home stagers, home inspectors and everyone else involved with real estate should keep EVERY encounter a positive one.

So if you let the scriptures and lessons I discussed sink in and take root, and grow until they overwhelm your thinking and revolutionize your business, along with every area of your life; then combine this internal change with Sally's powerful message about letting your higher level of professionalism shine through in every conversation, WE have the power to change the direction of our real estate climate. Think about the most well-known people in history who have had a positive influence in our culture. Jesus Christ, Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa and many more. There were each just ONE person. So what's stopping us ALL from coming together to bring about change? We're each just one person. But we already have a common goal. If we have the determination, and apply truth and wisdom to our thinking, we can be an unstoppable force!

I can't think of a single reason why any ONE of us can't be a catalyst for positive change, not only in the real estate industry, but in anything we set our minds to do. I personally get all my strength from God. On my own, my thoughts and attitudes tend to spiral downward at a pretty fast pace. But with biblical truths and principles, and keeping my eyes on Jesus instead of the storm, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

ONE MORE ADDITION, IN RESPONSE TO SUSIE'S COMMENT: Susie- To clarify, I DO NOT agree with NAR's campaign saying "Now is a great time to buy". And I won't lie to people. But if you think about the way our parents told us "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" and apply that principle... the same way you can look at a person who is very unattractive, but still find something nice to say about them, that's the way I think we should do business.

If you're looking for a real estate agent to represent you in the sale of your home, and not let the negative media keep them from working hard for you, I'd love to help!

If you're a real estate buyer, looking for a REALTOR® to represent your interests and explain each step of the closing process, as well as the real estate contingencies involved in the process, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®. Adams Cameron has 2 offices in Daytona Beach, 1 in Port Orange, 3 in Ormond Beach, 1 in Palm Coast, and 1 in DeLand. We have more offices than any other brokerage in Volusia county. Lisa Hill and Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS® are the Smart Choice for all real estate buyers, as well as real estate sellers.

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